Second Thai-Myanmar bridge construction begins

A ground breaking ceremony was held on Sunday for the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge that will play a key role in the East-West Economic Corridor traversing continental Southeast Asia reported Kyodo News on 30 August.
The ceremony for the bridge linking the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy and the Thai town of Mae Sot was attended by government leaders of both countries.
Construction costs have been budgeted at 640 million baht (about US$17.8 million), to be borne by the Thai side. It is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
It is expected to reduce traffic congestion at the first Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, which sometimes takes cargo vehicles half a day to cross.